Bowling bowl



R. R. DIETZ BOWLING BALL sept. 17, 1968 Filed Dec. 14, 1965 Roberf R. D/'efz NVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,401,935 BOWLING BOWL Robert R. Dietz, P.O. Box 245, Winterhaven, Calif. 92283 Filed Dec. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 513,807 Claims. (Cl. 273-63) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a bowling ball, more particularly, a grip which is functionally designed and structurally adapted to enable the bowler to achieve, that is, deliver a good curve ball without encountering stress and strain such is commonly encountered when using a conventional three-hole ball.

`Persons conversant with the art to which the invention relates are aware that the currently used three-fingered ball (one which has radial thumb hole and Companion radial finger holes) was introduced some time ago and has remained in Vogue because of the fact that it provides a grip which is regarded as firm and reliable. Admittedly, however, this universally used three-fingered ball grip is not wholly without faults, a fact which is evidenced by the additional fact that Constant efforts are being made to advance the art and to perfect a less painful and better grip which will serve the overall needs of manufacturers, retailers and bowlers. It would appear that prior eiforts to advance the art have not met with widespread adoption and use insofar as ball grips are concerned. When delivering a curve or a hook ball it is common practice to release the thumb first, then the fingers, relying upon the fingers in the follow-through to irnpart the necessary lift to the fingerholes and to cause the ball to turn and to thus apply the English desired. As the ball is turned during delivery the fingerholes must turn With the ball and this puts such a strain and twist on the fingers that it greatly cuts down on the turning motion or spin of the ball and results in painful and sore fingers.

In using a conventional three-fingered ball the middle and third fingers are customarily or commonly used in the two fingerholes. In carrying out the present invention the first or index and middle fingers are used in the fingerholes because the middle finger is the longest and strongest and is used to pivot the ball on, as will be hereinafter revealed. The idea her-e is to Continue with a triple-socket or three-hole grip which is not unlike the currently used three-fingered grip except that one of the fingerholes (which will be hereinafter referred to as a third hole) is modified so that it provides not only a socket for reception of the index finger but offers, in addition, a cooperating finger piloting, channeling and guiding groove which enables the bowler to deliver the ball in a unique manner.

Briefly, the instant concept involves a structure and procedure wherein the thumb is released first as in all types of bowling. As the bowler imparts the necessary lift and follow-through to the ball with his fingers the ball starts to turn. During this turning action, the first or index finger of the bowler rides up and out in a guiding and piloting groove or channel around the second fingerhole and as the groove is the same distance from the second fingerhole throughout its length nothing exists to ice cause binding action of any kind. Accordingly, the ball revolves or turns on the middle finger the same as if the ball had only one fingerhole therein. It is evident, too, that with this construction and arrangement the -fingers are not twisted in any manner which would result in lessening the turning action or bring about undesirably sore fingers. Consequently, the end result is a free turning ball which is so much desired and necessary in order to throw a good lhook or curve ball. It follows that the essence of the instant concept is the improvement of the third fingerhole, as distinguished from the thumb hole and first fingerhole, and which is equipped with a properly tapered or gradually deepened finger groove or channel.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a bowling ball constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view also in plan like FIG. 1 but which diifers in showing the overall ball grip and more particularly, how the index finger, middle finger and thumb of the hand (appearing in phantom lines) are employed;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view based on FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the im'proved index fingerhole is utilized in imparting spin or turn in the direction of the arrow to the ball;

FIGURE 4 is a further view which is based on and ties in with FIGS. 2 and 3 in showing the position of the hand after the thumb and index finger have been freed from the ball relying then on the middle finger as a spindle for regulating the spin desired; and

FIGURES 5 and 6 are fragmentary detail Sections taken on the lines 5-5 and 6 6, respectively of FIG. 1.

The overall spherical solid bowling ball is denoted by the numeral 8. It is understood that only the ball grip zone or area of the ball is involved, that is the area which is denoted generally at 10. The radial thumbhole is denoted by the numeral 12 and is conventional. The next hole, which will 'be herein referred to as the second hole is denoted by the numeral 14 and here again this hole is conventional and is oriented and coordinated with respect to the thumbhole to accommodate the span of the hand in relation to the grip area 10. In other words, these two holes 12 and 14 are, let us, say, conventional. The improvement and distinction resides in the Companion relation of a third hole to the first and second holes 12 and 14. This third hole is denoted by the numeral 16. The hole proper is the same as an ordinary or conventional fingerhole, the bottom thereof being denoted at 18 in FIG. 5. The difference is that this hole 16 is augmented by the addition thereto of an arcuate groove or channel which is denoted generally by the numeral 20-, the outer perimeter edge being denoted at 22 and the inner perimeter edge at 2-4. The inward end portion merges Communlicatively with the bottom 18 of the hole 16 and the outer edge or end 26 intersects and merges with the convex surface or peripheral area 28 of the ball as shown in FIG. 5 in particular.

'It will 'be noted that the perimeter edge 24 is of the curvature shown best in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, and is spaced from and related to the adjacent portion of the hole 14 to provide an arcuate space 27.

It is reiterated that the hole 12 is the customary or usual thumbhole, that the second hole 14 (which is spaced therefrom and complemental thereto) is herein designed and adapted to accommodate the middle -finger. The space 27 is exactly the same distance from the ifingerhole 14 as far as it goes, that is from the lefthand to the righthand end portions appearing in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive. The hole 16 and communicating groove provides a channel or slot which is the same depth as the fingerhole 16, that is at what is called the inner end of the groove. The depth rises or progresses gradually up until the groove merges with or intersects the top of the ball at the location or point 26.

It will be clear to the reader that in delivering this improved ball the ball pivots or turns on the middle finger only while the first finger slides through the curved slot or groove and leaves the ball at the top of the slot or groove behind the middle fingerhole. At the same time and while sliding through the slot the finger bears against the back of the slot or groove and helps the middle finger to impart the necessary lift to the ball. It follows that while obtaining a satisfactory irm grip on a conventional threefinger ball the bowler gets what may be said to be the same action as would be attainable by the ball turning on the middle finger only as was done on the original two-fingered balls (thumb and single fingerhole only). The fact that the fingers are neither twisted nor strained in delivering the improved ball it will be obvious that not only does the bowler obtain the desired spin or "English the desired overall end result is attained. In connection with the foregoing it is to be added that any slight Variation in depth, length or curvature or even possible relationship of the grooved fingerhole to the other two holes would be within the purview of the overall inventive concept.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 1principles of the inventon. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will lreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordngly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A bowling ball embodying a conventional spherical solid body, the peripheral surface `of said body having the usual isolated handgripping, lifting and ball releasing zone, the latter provided lwith a first hole of a depth and cross-section for removable reception of the thumb of the bowler, a second hole orientated with and spaced from said first hole and of a depth and cross-section for removable reception of the bowleris middle finger, and a third hole of a depth and cross-sectional dimension for reception, retention and quick removal of the index finger of the bowler, said third hole being distinguishable from said first and second holes and spaced from but cooperatively related to said first and second holes in keeping with the span of the palrnar side of the bowler's hand,

the peripheral surface of said ball having an index -finger accomodating withdrawing, piloting and releasing groove having an outward end and an inward end, said outward end being further removed from said first hole than said inward end, the inward end of said groove being proximatel to and communicating with one side of said third hole and said outward end intersecting, merging with and opening through said peripheral surface at a location spaced from but associatively coordnated with said first and second holes so that the thnmb can be released first, the index finger released second, and whereby the middle finger which has not yet been released is thus adapted for use as a ball revolving spindle capable of assisting the bowler in turning the ball axially and relative to said middle finger in order to properly deliver a hook ball.

2 The ball according to claim 1, and wherein said groove is elongated and is of a predetermined length, is arcuate in plan, is equal in plan width to the crosssectional dimension of said third hole, and is of uniform width from end to end.

3. The structure according to claim 2, and also wherein said groove is isolated from said first and second holes and extends in a direction away from and beyond the locale of said first and second holes, the arcuate curvature of said groove being such that it is concentric with the axis of said second hole.

4. The structure according to claim 2, and also wherein said groove is disposed and oriented in a direction away from and 'beyond the locale of said first and second holes, the arcuate curvature of said groove being concentrie with the long axis of said second hole, and said groove being of a predetermined length and gradually increasing in depth from its outer end toward its inner end, the depth of said inner end corresponding With the depth of said third hole whereby said index 'finger can be unobstructedly freed from said third hole and caused to glide up said groove from the deep toward the shallow end.

5. The ball defined in claim 4, and wherein said groove and complemental third hole coordinate in defining a. channel-like recess which is sector-shaped in side elevation and wherein, when the index finger traverses the groove from its initial socketed position to its surface released position it is guided by the shoulder-like marginal edges of said groove and assists the middle finger in imparting a lift to the ball while at the same time pivoting the ball around said middle finger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,703,712 3/1955 Obenchain 273-63 2,931,652 4/1960 Lean 273-63 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

'GEORGE J. MARLO, Assistant Examner. 

